Claire added on to her house to make it a little more comfortable when we all get together up in Red Bluff - 13 adults and 11 kids under 8 make for a FULL house. She added a big family room off the kitchen and a bunk room underneath it for the older kids to start camping out. It makes for an awesome playroom where we can "kinda hear but not see" the band of holligans too!

It was just finished and empty - I knew Oma wanted some sleeping space without bunk beds (as you saw in my last post we've got some accident prone kids ;), a reading nook, a dress up area and stage for shows, art area and bright colors. Thursday we didn't have much planned so I jumped in the car to hit up the IKEA in West Sacramento to outfit the playroom- my favorite task!

Before:

4 hours of driving, 3 hours in IKEA, 5 carts full of stuff and 3 check-outs later… I came home just in time for dinner and to lots of willing helpers to unload and start building those IKEA brown boxes - it was a family team effort but we made Oma stay away until the big reveal :)

Lots of helpers!

and… it's DONE!

The kids were SO excited to show Oma

party in the new playroom

Reading Nook

Floor cushions and a basket for extra books

Big Kid art supplies out of reach from the little sticky fingers (Ellie is the keeper of the Playroom and already doing a very good job keeping the kids in line and this place organized!)

Art or train table with lots of paper for creations

Oh and one trip to Wal-Mart for some finishing touches like canvases for the girls to paint

We're still working on an official "stage" but we made these little dividers for a temporary curtain area for all the talent shows

Dress up all hung up on the walls in the utility closet

I love this map! I wanted two beds end to end for one long sleeping space and two trundles underneath but of course IKEA only had one left so we'll add the second bed for more sleepers soon.